Comment from Professor Penny Macbeth, Director and Principal of the Glasgow School of Art and Mackintosh Building Project Sponsor:
“The recommendation for approval places our commitment to the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building at significant risk. The former Jumping Jaks/ABC site proposals fundamentally compromise the Mackintosh Building’s heritage significance as a purpose-design art school and with it, the Building’s future use as a working art school with the economic, social, cultural and wider regeneration benefits this will bring to the City.
Exercising our responsibilities as custodians of the Mackintosh, committed to its rebuilding as a working school of art, only works if the responsibilities of the City Council, as custodians of Glasgow’s built heritage, are exercised wisely, balancing immediate economic benefits against the longer term impact of the decisions they take. We all agree that the redevelopment of the former Jumping Jaks/ABC is a once in a generation opportunity to positively transform this part of the city. However, it needs to be done without detrimental impact to the internationally significant Category A-listed Mackintosh.
We have been clear in our extensive discussions with VITA that, while recognising the importance and complexities of this city block, an achievable solution can be found which delivers both financially viability for them while mitigating impact to the Mackintosh Building and Glasgow’s important built heritage.”
Comment from James Grimley, Reiach and Hall Architects:
“The massing and proximity of the proposed development would cause grave harm to the setting, character, and function of the Mackintosh Building including significantly reducing daylight and compromising the buildings intended function where daylight is integral to its design and purpose.
Equally important is how the functionality of several critical spaces would be compromised by the proposals, reducing the educational and experiential value of these, the overall heritage significance of the building as one of the world’s first purpose-designed schools of art and also its use and purpose when rebuilt.
There are alternative approaches that would reduce the development’s detrimental impact on a building of such international importance. A revised scheme that respects and protects the Mackintosh Building’s future both as a heritage asset and working art school as it was designed should be pursued.”
Reiach and Hall with Purcell were appointed in July 2024 to undertake an addendum to the 2021 SOBC to identify routes to delivery of the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building. This work will be published later in 2025.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
About The Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent university-level institutions for education and research in the visual creative disciplines. Our studio-based, specialist, practice-led teaching, learning and research draw talented individuals with a shared passion for visual culture and creative production from all over the world. Originally founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, the School’s history can be traced back to 1753 and the establishment of the Foulis Academy delivering a European-style art education. Today, the GSA is an international community of over 3500 students and staff across architecture, design, fine art, innovation and technology in our campuses in Glasgow and Altyre (in the Scottish Highlands) and a thriving Open Studio programme delivering non-degree provision to over 1500 students annually.
